Jharkhand High Court Stays Government’s Order Cancelling 11th, 13th JPSC Exams And Appointments

The Jharkhand High Court has stayed the Hemant Soren-led state government's order cancelling the 11th and 13th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations and subsequent appointments, providing relief to newly appointed officers who had challenged the decision.

The interim order came while the court was hearing multiple petitions filed by candidates whose appointments were affected by the cancellation.

Officers Challenge Cancellation Of Exams And Appointments

The petitioners argued that the Jharkhand government had unilaterally cancelled the examinations and subsequent appointments without giving the selected candidates an opportunity to present their case.

Many of the candidates had already joined government service after clearing the recruitment process, and the cancellation order had put their employment at risk.

The candidates also invoked principles of natural justice, arguing that action should be taken against individuals found to have been involved in any wrongdoing rather than cancelling the appointments of all successful candidates without an individual inquiry or hearing.

Government Had Cancelled 44 Recruitment Exams

The development comes after the Jharkhand government released a list of 44 recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) that were cancelled over alleged irregularities.

The decision followed a 25-day student agitation demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

The state government also announced the formation of a committee to examine reforms in the JPSC and JSSC examination system.

Several Recruitment Posts Affected

The cancelled examinations covered recruitment for several government posts, including drug inspectors, assistant professors, deputy collectors, dental doctors, assistant engineers, civil judges, additional public prosecutors and forest range officers.

The list also included recruitment examinations for lecturers in government polytechnics, senior scientific officers, assistant conservators of forests and several administrative and technical positions.

The High Court's stay provides immediate relief to candidates selected through the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations, while the legal challenge to the government's cancellation order continues.